Rugby World Cup: Wales' fate hangs in the balance after Australia defeat

Wales' Rugby World Cup hopes hang in the balance after defeat by Australia in their final group game.

Both sides were competing for automatic qualification, with the Wallaroos now joining hosts New Zealand in the quarter-finals.

Wales must wait for the outcome of the weekend's other matches to see if they finish as one of the two best third-place teams.

Ioan Cunningham's side are however boosted by a losing bonus point.

They finished on five points, with France's comprehensive 44-0 win over Fiji ruling out one of their rivals.

Wales' Pool C competition now comes from South Africa, who play England on Sunday.

Should the Springboks win, they will reach at least five points and topple Wales as they have a superior points difference.

In Pool B, Italy, USA and Japan all have a chance to finish as the third place runner-up.

Italy and USA are both on five points - and both with a better points difference than Wales.

USA have a tough match against Canada, while Italy play pointless Japan, who themselves could progress with a bonus point win.

Early intent

As expected, there was precious little between Australia and Wales in the first half, with momentum shifting back and forth.

Australia enjoyed all the early possession, showing intent to play an expansive offload game.

They got a deserved breakthrough on five minutes, with the Wales defence caught napping as scrum-half Iliseva Batibasaga was given far too much room and was able to spin her way under the posts unopposed.

Lori Cramer added the conversion.

Wales looked edgy, with two uncharacteristic knock-ons from experienced campaigners Sioned Harries and Elinor Snowsill, and it was not until the 10th minute that they finally got their hands on some ball.

But Wales struggled to find any fluidity and chose to kick away possession rather than build momentum. The penalty count also crept up.

Welsh fans were given something to cheer on 20 minutes, with a driving maul making good yardage before Jasmine Joyce was released and linked up well with fellow wing Lisa Neumann.

Australia were penalised, gifting Wales the opportunity of a five-metre driving lineout - their main weapon of attack- and after some patient forward play, Harries crashed over as she so often does.

Snowsill's conversion went over off a post to tie the scores.

Australia came roaring back, putting Wales under huge pressure as they shipped the ball from flank to flank, but Wales were able to repel the onslaught with some excellent cover tackling.

Sevens star Bienne Terita almost restored Australia's lead on the stroke of half-time, carving up the defence, but Joyce was a match for her pace and chopped her down before she got sight of the line.

Australia did go in ahead though, with Wales penalised at the scrum to allow Cramer to slot over.

Wales captain Hannah Jones attempts to break through the Wallaroos defence

The Wallaroos looked threatening after the break and twice crossed the whitewash, although both efforts were held up by a determined defence.

Wales weathered the storm, even when their scrum came under huge pressure on their own five-metre line.

The game tightened up as both sides struggled to find a breakthrough, Joyce shutting down the Wallaroos' most promising attack with a huge defensive tackle after switching to full-back.

Australia's discipline - as has been the case all tournament - came under the spotlight with 10 minutes to go.

Replacement lock Kaitlan Leaney was shown a yellow card for a dangerous tackle on Alex Callender, who was then replaced by squad captain Siwan Lillicrap for her 50th cap.

But they could not capitalise as Robyn Wilkins missed touch in what would have been a promising lineout opportunity.

Australia continued to probe as Wales' discipline let them down, and they never took advantage of the extra player as the clock ticked down to the red.

Australia won a late penalty, which Cramer slotted over to seal the result and second place in Pool A.

Australia head coach Jay Tregonning told BBC Sport Wales: "We are really pleased with the work ethic and how the players dug in for each other to grind out the win.

"Their defence was outstanding, we thought we had a few good opportunities and they held their line really strong, so all credit to Wales."

Wales head coach Ioan Cunningham said: "There is a lot of frustration at the moment. I feel it was one we let go if I am honest.

"We showed glimpses that we could have really threatened, but when we did have opportunities our accuracy was not up to it.

"That single point is huge, and we will hold on to that while the weekend pans out."

Player of the match - Grace Hamilton

Grace Hamilton made 16 carries over the gainline, making 73 metres

Australia: Lori Cramer; Bienne Terita, Georgina Friedrichs, Sharni Williams, Ivania Wong; Arabella McKenzie, Iliseva Batibasaga; Liz Patu, Adiana Talakai, Bridie O'Gorman, Michaela Leonard, Grace Kemp, Emily Chancellor, Shannon Parry (capt), Grace Hamilton

Replacements: Tania Naden, Emily Robinson, Eva Karpani, Kaitlan Leaney, Piper Duck, Layne Morgan, Trilleen Pomare, Pauline Piliae-Rasabale.

Wales: Niamh Terry; Jasmine Joyce, Carys Williams-Morris, Hannah Jones (capt), Lisa Neumann; Elinor Snowsill, Ffion Lewis; Cara Hope, Kelsey Jones, Cerys Hale, Natalia John, Gwen Crabb, Bethan Lewis, Alex Callender, Sioned Harries

Replacements: Carys Phillips, Caryl Thomas, Sisilia Tuipulotu, Georgia Evans, Siwan Lillicrap, Keira Bevan, Robyn Wilkins, Kerin Lake.